La Liga Round 23 Results: Atletico bounce back from European defeat

By Martin Macdonald

Diego Simeone's men responded well from their loss against Rubin Kazan with a win over Valladolid, meanwhile there was important wins for Valencia, Malaga, and Espanyol

SEVILLA 3-1 DEPORTIVO

New Deportivo coach, Fernando Vazquez, got off to a losing start as boss as he saw his side go down 3-1 to Sevilla on Friday evening.

His tenure got off to the worst possible start as the home side went ahead after just five minutes when Ivan Rakitic headed in from Andujar Coke's cross. Sevilla doubled the lead just before the half-hour mark when Gary Medel latched on to a threaded pass from Jesus Navas to smash a strike into the corner.

Depor were given a ray of hope five minutes later when Riki finished from close range. However, Los Rojiblancos restored their two-goal lead five minutes before the break when Medel also netted from a few yards out to earn his brace.

The visitors had a few opportunities to grab a goal back in the second half, but Sevilla held on for the three points.

GETAFE 3-1 CELTA

Celta Vigo succumbed to their third defeat in a row on Saturday as they were defeated 3-1 by Getafe at Coliseum Alfonso Perez.

It was an uphill task for the visitors from early on as they went behind after just 10 minutes. A poor pass from Gustavo Cabral saw Abdel Barrada intercept the ball and slide through to Adrian Colunga, who fired a left-footed strike past goalkeepe, Javi Varas.

Augusto Fernandez headed home from Roberto Lago's cross to draw the visitors level after 20 minutes. However, Getafe edged ahead once again 15 minutes later when Diego Castro was in the right place at the right time to scrappily finish after the ball had been cleared off the line.

The Madrid-based side took the match further beyond Celta just before half time when Federico Fernandez bulleted a header in from a corner kick, ensuring more La Liga misery for the visitors.

MALAGA 1-0 ATHLETIC BILBAO

A solitary strike from Javier Saviola gave Malaga a narrow 1-0 win over Athletic Bilbao at La Rosaleda, ensuring Manuel Pellegrini's men ended the weekend still in the fourth Champions League spot in La Liga.

The hosts enjoyed the better of the early exchanges, and went ahead after 18 minutes. On-loan Chelsea man, Lucas Piazon, showed endeavour to burst into the box and reverse a pass inside for Saviola, who blasted high into the top of the net.

Willy Caballero was the star of the show for the remainder of the match. The Malaga 'keeper denied three Ibai Gomez strikes and pulled off two outstanding saves to keep out Aritz Aduriz to allow his side to hold on to their lead until the final whistle.

OSASUNA 1-0 ZARAGOZA

A goal in the first four minutes from Kike Sola gave Osasuna a vital 1-0 win over relegation rivals, Real Zaragoza, on Saturday evening.

The hosts got off to the perfect start, and opened the scoring in the first few minutes of the match. Abella Damia whipped a cross into the box and Sola rose high to power a header into the net.

Zaragoza had a great opportunity to level when Ruben Rochina headed towards goal, only to see his attempt brilliantly turned round the post by 'keeper, Andres Fernandez.

The victory for the hosts means Osasuna overtake Zaragoza in the Spanish Primera Division table.

REAL SOCIEDAD 1-1 LEVANTE

Real Sociedad's quest for European football hit a stumbling block as they could only manage a 1-1 draw with Levante on Sunday morning.

The hosts struck the first blow 17 minutes in when Nikos Karabelas brought down Carlos Vela inside the area and a penalty was awarded. The Mexican dusted himself off to step up and convert the spotkick.

However, 10 minutes later Levante were given a penalty of their own. Chory Castro knocked over Christian Lell in the box and Michel tucked away into the corner.

Karabelas was sent off 10 minutes into the second half for a second bookable offence, but Levante managed to remain solid at the back and hold out for the draw.

VALENCIA 2-0 MALLORCA

Valencia came out comfortable 2-0 victors over Mallorca at the Mestalla, despite having to play over an hour of the match with 10-men after the first half dismissal of Tino Costa.

The hosts looked to be in for a tough match when Tino Costa was shown a straight red card in the first period for a poor challenge on Jose Nunes.

However, Los Che eventually took the lead when Ricardo Costa beat everyone in the air to head in from the centre of the penalty box. Roberto Soldado doubled the lead nine minutes from time when he latched on to a pass from Daniel Parejo before firing low into the bottom corner.

Mallorca failed to muster up any kind of threat in the latter stages and Valencia claimed all three points.

REAL VALLADOLID 0-3 ATLETICO MADRID

Atletico Madrid bounced back from their disappointing defeat to Rubin Kazan in the Europa League with a convincing 3-0 victory over Real Valladolid at the Jose Zorrilla stadium on Sunday evening.

Radamel Falcao was in the right place at the right time to fire home from close range after 10 minutes, giving Diego Simeone's men an early lead.

The visitors were missing Diego Costa for their two previous matches, which they lost, but the Brazilian returned from his suspension and doubled the lead eight minutes after the break. He latched on to a flick-on from Jorge Koke before firing a low half-volley into the bottom corner.

Cristian Rodriguez completed the win when he took advantage of some poor defending at the back post from Antonio Rukavina to stab the ball past Daniel Hernandez.

ESPANYOL 1-0 REAL BETIS

An early strike from Sergio Garcia gave Espanyol their third win on the bounce as the Barcelona-based side came out 1-0 winners over Real Betis at Cornella El-Prat.

Javier Aguirre has sparked an astonishing revival since taking over as boss os Espanyol, and their good form continued as they netted after just seven minutes. Christian Stuani went on a maraudin run down the right and clipped a cross into the centre for Garcia, who expertly finished past 'keeper, Adrian.

Betis did have a few chances in the second half to equalise. Chica came closest went his terrific curled shot from outside the box went inches by the post, but Espanyol held out to move up to 12th in the table.